Cuomo Pushes Clean Energy, Taps New Policy Czar

A top advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu will be New York’s new “energy czar,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his State of the State on Wednesday.

Richard Kauffman, Chu’s senior advisor, will join Cuomo’s cabinet as chairman for energy policy and finance. One of his top priorities, Cuomo said, will be to “plan and execute” a strategy to bolster the state’s energy infrastructure and curb its contribution to climate change while keeping rates down.

Cuomo unveiled his “Charge NY Plan” during the address, increasing the number of plug-in, electric vehicles on the road in New York. The plan calls for installing 3,000 charging stations across the state in hopes of supporting 40,000 electric vehicles.

Cuomo also emphasized investment in “clean tech” — including solar energy and lowering emissions. He proposed creating a $1 billion “green bank” to offer state incentives for investing in green energy.